Free Open Source Software Thanks to the 'Cloud' there is less need to install software and there is far more mobility and freedom at accessing information anyway and at anytime.
To take advantage of this situation we can use free 'open source tools' this link has information on many useful student/school open source tools. Because they are free, no student is disadvantaged. For example, instead of buying photoshop for approx $700 and most of your students not being able to afford it; hence, unable to work on it from home; instead, you can install GIMP a 'Gnu image manipulation programme' on google. AND its compatible with photoshop but without the $$ signs! Download GIMP here
Albany Senior High School have created a wiki that outlines the 'open source' programmes that they use at school and that their students can access free from home.
Browers: Firefox or Chrome. Chrome is becoming more and more attractive as you can add apps to it so there is no need to download software - there are hundreds of free appsto choose from
To edit photos use Picnik and for more advanced editing Pixlr
To write documents and you do not have word; try Google Docs. This will also take care of spreadsheets, presentations, drawings and forms! Or try openoffice.org It is also worth looking at Scribus which offers professional desktop editing.
Build 3D models quickly and easily with Google Sketchup OR Blender 3D (instead of paying $5000 for Maya)
Create your own blog with Google Blogger OR here with Wordpress
Thanks to the 'Cloud' there is less need to install software and there is far more mobility and freedom at accessing information anyway and at anytime.
To take advantage of this situation we can use free 'open source tools' this link has information on many useful student/school open source tools. Because they are free, no student is disadvantaged.
For example, instead of buying photoshop for approx $700 and most of your students not being able to afford it; hence, unable to work on it from home; instead, you can install GIMP a 'Gnu image manipulation programme' on google. AND its compatible with photoshop but without the $$ signs!
Download GIMP here
Albany Senior High School have created a wiki that outlines the 'open source' programmes that they use at school and that their students can access free from home.
Browers: Firefox or Chrome. Chrome is becoming more and more attractive as you can add apps to it so there is no need to download software - there are hundreds of free appsto choose from
To edit digital footage use Openshot Movie Editor or Jaycut
Learn how to use Movie Maker here
To edit photos use Picnik and for more advanced editing Pixlr
To write documents and you do not have word; try Google Docs. This will also take care of spreadsheets, presentations, drawings and forms! Or try openoffice.org It is also worth looking at Scribus which offers professional desktop editing.
Build 3D models quickly and easily with Google Sketchup OR Blender 3D (instead of paying $5000 for Maya)
Create your own blog with Google Blogger OR here with Wordpress
Create an eportfolio here
Explore the world from your computer with Google Earth
Install a Graphics Calculator using Gnu Octave. Introduction to Octave
Learn to play the guitar with TuxGuitar
Create a quick post-it type board for posting quick messages, maybe for your club or sports team using a Wallwisher wall
For Podcasting use Podomatic
For mind-mapping use mind42 (these can be published too)
Create music with Audacity or Musescore
To learn about the basics of programming try out Scratch or Alice
Design your own website (obviously wiki is an option) NVU or Wix or Googlesites
For children from 3-12 try painting with Tuxpaint and Sumopaint
Create an account for class bookmarks with Delicious